Bodega DreamsIn this "thriller with literary merit" (Time Out New York), a stunning narrative combines the gritty rhythms of Junot Diaz with the noir genius of Walter Mosley. Bodega Dreams pulls us into Spanish Harlem, where the word is out: Willie Bodega is king. Need college tuition for your daughter? Start-up funds for your fruit stand? Bodega can help. He gives everyone a leg up, in exchange only for loyalty—and a steady income from the drugs he pushes. Lyrical, inspired, and darkly funny, this powerful debut novel brilliantly evokes the trial of Chino, a smart, promising young man to whom Bodega turns for a favor. Chino is drawn to Bodega's street-smart idealism, but soon finds himself over his head, navigating an underworld of switchblade tempers, turncoat morality, and murder. "Bodega is a fascinating character. . . . The story [Quiñonez] tells has energy and verve." —The New York Times Book Review |
From inside the book
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Page 88
... once like you , is Rita Moreno hooking ? ” Tapia then pointed at one of the guys . “ Reggie Jackson , he was once as young as you , he's half Puerto Rican , is Reggie in jail ? They worked hard . That's what you have to do . Just do ...
... once like you , is Rita Moreno hooking ? ” Tapia then pointed at one of the guys . “ Reggie Jackson , he was once as young as you , he's half Puerto Rican , is Reggie in jail ? They worked hard . That's what you have to do . Just do ...
Page 171
... once stood there . Scorched bricks with wild grass growing all around the lot . A toi- let seat lay on its side , a sink and a bathtub too . Fireflies were flashing , lighting up the lot . Once people lived there , I thought . And some ...
... once stood there . Scorched bricks with wild grass growing all around the lot . A toi- let seat lay on its side , a sink and a bathtub too . Fireflies were flashing , lighting up the lot . Once people lived there , I thought . And some ...
Page 213
... once played as children with no backyards - yes , they were happy too . Murals had been painted in memory of Bodega . The entire graffiti hall of fame was cov- ered with tributes . Some had him as a Young Lord , beret , rifle , Pa'lante ...
... once played as children with no backyards - yes , they were happy too . Murals had been painted in memory of Bodega . The entire graffiti hall of fame was cov- ered with tributes . Some had him as a Young Lord , beret , rifle , Pa'lante ...
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Common terms and phrases
ain't Alberto Salazar Alleluia asked aunt b'cause Barrio Blanca Blessington building called Chino church Claudia Coño cops crazy DeJesus door dreams East Harlem Enrique everything eyes face fire Fischman floor fuck fucken girl gonna hand happy hated head hear heard hope inside Iris Chacón Julia de Burgos Julio killed knew Latin laughed living Loisaida looked married Mercado mother Nazario Negra neighborhood Nene never nigga night nodded okay Ortiz pana PEDRO PIETRI Pentecostal Piri Thomas Puerto Rican Robert Frost Roberto Vega Salazar salsa Sapo Sapo's shit sister smiled someone Spanish Harlem stared street Taino talk Tapia tell Thass Thass right things thought told took Vera's Veronica Victor Vidal waited walked Whass whispered wife William Irizarry Willie Bodega Yeah yelled yo'r